South Hunterdon High makes the right decision in keeping agriculture science classes

During the last few decades of the 20th century newcomers flocking to Hunterdon’s agrarian communities derisively referred to local schools in need of improvement as “farmers’ schools.”

It never occurred to them to assess the intelligence or determination of self-employed business people savvy enough to create their own company plans and then accomplish them by learning a wide variety of skills. Successful farmers know everything from accounting to the science of soil and crop management, mechanics to plumbing. They may wear the hats of human resources and marketing managers, veterinarians, nutritionists and even political activists.

The biggest “mistake” most family farmers make is valuing education so highly that their children head to college and then seek jobs with fewer hours and fatter salaries. Sometimes those careers are in related industries.

South Hunterdon High School stands alone in the county by encouraging students to consider careers in agriculture. The possibilities are endless: biotechnology, food safety, animal husbandry, organic food production, farm management… And the benefits of a strong FFA program will serve students long after their high school days because of community service and public speaking and presentation skills.

After voters defeated the school’s proposed tax levy in April, there was concern that the agriculture science classes and extracurricular FFA would be cut. Residents and students protested, loudly and logically and the program, which the school touts in seeking out-of-district students, will continue.

It was the right decision. Farming is constantly evolving to meet the needs of consumers and the environment, while fewer children are raised with the knowledge of how their food gets from farm to table. And, like health care, there will always be career options for people skilled in growing and supplying us with safe food.